The Redistricting Arms Race: Jeffries on Democrats' Strategy to Fight Back
Today I spoke with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries about the redistricting battle that could decide control of the House of Representatives.
Texas is locked in a battle over the state GOP's efforts to redraw congressional maps mid-decade. (We break that down here and here). State Democratic lawmakers fled to prevent the Texas legislature from reaching a quorum and locking in the new map. But for how long can they stymie a vote?
I asked Jeffries how far Democrats are willing to go in this arms race and he told me his side won't "unilaterally disarm." Democratic governors from California to New York are promising to respond to Texas with their own efforts. He endorsed California Gov. Gavin Newsom's plan to let the state's voters decide whether California should redistrict as well.
I put some of your questions to Jeffries: Is it time for Democrats to use more unconventional tactics? Why do his party’s centrists and progressives both feel frustrated right now? And what are Democrats willing to try next in their resistance efforts? We talk Medicaid, Mamdani, the economy and more.
Jeffries makes the case that his party has scored lots of victories since Trump took office, but since they control no branch of federal government, those wins are harder for voters to measure. They come in the form of what Democrats have blocked, or in Trump's very low approval ratings. Do you agree? Would you like to see Democratic leaders do something different or more? Let us know in comments.
